Builds An HJ61 followed me home to Texas

[roma042987]

So today finally got everything situated to take a crack at getting this thing together.

Plastigauge layed out on all the mains.

 

[roma042987]

All the specs on the journals are just wd40 that I had sprayed the crank down with for storage. I left it on for the trial fit just to make the plastigage cleanup a little easier.

 

[roma042987]

A little oil on the threads

Also under the bolt head

 

[roma042987]

At this point main caps are bolted down from the center out in steps of 25, 50, 75, and a final 100 ft lbs. Then removed to check the plastigauge compression. Oil clearance specs came out perfect not surprising considering the crank journals are standard size.

 

[bottombracket]

Roma, this is a CLINIC on how to rebuild a 12HT. This is amazing.

 

[roma042987]

And the final two. After the clearance is checked the the bearings can be cleaned of the plastigauge, I like to use a plastic card for this.

Crank is pulled back out and all the journals get a good wipe down and generous coat of assembly lube. I usually just use engine oil for this but noticed I had a tube of this federal mogul lube I bought when I built my first engine about 15 years ago. Better use it before it expires lol.

 

[roma042987]

Ready for the crank

This crank is a beast so I got my 6 month pregnant wife to help me set her in lol.

New thrust washers

Main caps back on. These are numbered and even have arrows so assembly is pretty straight forward.

Finally torqued back down again in four steps to 100 ft lbs. Spins over smooth as butter.

 

[roma042987]

Out come some more boxes with more goodies.

Time for some slugs.

Protective covers for the rod bolts just so they don't nick anything like a cylinder wall or journal.

Nothing like having the right tool for the job here. I hate those generic ring compressors.

These don't get used often but a must have for this kind of job.

 

[roma042987]

This part was kind of messy so didn't get photos because I was gloved up and hands were covered in oil but ring orientation is critical, easy to do with the service manual on hand.

I use this dead blow handle to knock the pistons down.

Pushed into position

Six of these little guys

 

[roma042987]

The oil clearance here is checked individually on each rod at a time. These are torqued in three steps to 65ft lbs. Oil applied to the threads and nut flange then removed and clearance checked. Plastigauge cleaned off, assembly lube applied and cap reinstalled. The marks on the cap point forward.

Next one

 

[roma042987]

And four more times. All the clearance are spot on. Kinda tedious work but this part is critical.

 

[roma042987]

After a few hours the rotating assembly is together. Bolt torque is double and triple checked.

6 shiny new slugs

 

[davegonz]

Damn, here I am fretting changing out the BEBs on my 1HZ. Roma's killing it!

 

[CenTXFJ60]

Man Roma...The best cruiser porn I’ve seen in a while .

 

[roma042987]

Factory rear seal from the overhaul gasket set fitted to the retainer, I put grease on the tension spring in the seal and on the lip. It's pressed in place until the stop on the forward side.

Some sealant on these two edges.

The gasket in place

 

[roma042987]

Some oil on the crank before it goes on

Now on to the front side. New oil pump with timing housing was sourced. This piece is gorgeous.

Factory gasket fitted. I like to clean these mating surfaces of all oil residue with brake cleaner before install.

Torqued to 18 ft lbs.

 

[roma042987]

Something appears to be missing...

Ah the studs!

While I'm doing studs these others went on

 

[roma042987]

Meant to post this photo yesterday for posterity, main and rod bearings

Time for some idler gears...assembly lube and oil on the threads.

 

[roma042987]

Crank timing gear is pressed on first then the islets are installed. Timing is simple with the marks.

Bumpstick time.

 

[roma042987]

Camshaft is thoroughly lubed and slid into place. Reminds me of the operation game trying to put it in without the lobes nicking the bearings or the insides of the block

Oil cooler is next. Refinished hardware and a new gasket. I sprayed the inside of the block heavily with wd40 just for some corrosion protection until coolant gets in there.